"Our students win national awards and entrance to the country's premier graduate programs."

Dear Friends:

Writing in his book The Ithaca College Story, College historian and professor of English John B. Harcourt notes that on May 9, 1956, the College of Arts and Sciences began its official existence; our since-renamed School of Humanities and Sciences, then, prepares in academic year 2005-6 to celebrate its 50th anniversary, and we devote portions of this newsletter to H&S's growth, evolution, and success.

I joined Ithaca College in August of 1973, and it is startling to recognize that I've been a part of the school for well over half of its modern existence—first as a faculty member in the Department of Speech Communication and more recently as dean of the school. My public high school teaching experience combined with a Ph.D. in communication studies made me an attractive candidate to teach and to supervise the school's small teacher education program in speech communication, replacing Constantine (Gus) Perialas, who was tapped by President Ellis Phillips in 1973 to serve as vice president for student affairs. So I owe my career at the College, at least initially, to the familiar combination of careful preparation and dumb luck.

In my early years in the then-combined Departments of Drama and Speech, the word "potential" seemed to epitomize school and College. We were young as institutions go and immature as measured by achievement—though certainly there were pockets of excellence, as well as iconic faculty. I had the pleasure of George Hoerner's company on some Friday afternoons. He had retired a couple of years after I joined the College and guided me through building a toy chest for my eldest son. "Measure twice, cut once" was George's mantra and, after attending an elegant cocktail party at the Hoerners' (complete with uniformed bartenders), it was clear that beneath the rough-hewn exterior was a sophisticated gentleman. My family joined Temple Beth El downtown and got to know an elderly, energetic, affable gentleman named Isadore (Doe) Yavits. As it was for me with George Hoerner, it was some time before I became aware of Doe Yavits's exalted place at the College.

Slowly, potential yielded to actual, and your school today proudly celebrates not only its golden anniversary but substantial accomplishments as well. Last year the Department of Biology garnered more than one million dollars in external grants, a tribute to an outstanding, ambitious, highly accomplished faculty. Faculty publications abound. When I joined the College, a faculty book publication was an exceptional event; now it is still celebrated, but rather common. Ditto for faculty journal articles, reviews, curricular initiatives, and so on. Our students win national awards and entrance to the country's premier graduate programs. Chemistry students will be attending the top programs in the nation, such as the University of California, Berkeley; California Institute of Technology; and Harvard University. Our English graduates will be entering graduate programs at such places as Boston University, Bard College, Catholic University, Leeds (in England), and Trinity College (in Ireland). In short, the school builds upon a solid foundation of excellence as we aspire to improve. Solid achievement has supplanted potential.

Finally, please consider supporting generously your school. We will be soliciting specifically for 50th anniversary recognitions—enduring legacies, if you will—and know also that your support for the school's annual fund helps us to support initiatives and opportunities, especially for our students, that would not be possible without your help. Some of these opportunities are covered in this newsletter.

It is a great time for the School of Humanities and Sciences, and I am privileged to have contributed to the school's success. Enjoy the newsletter and be assured that I always appreciate hearing from you. My e-mail address is herlich@ithaca.edu.

Sincerely,

Howard S. Erlich
Dean